Library Clippings for the week of September 25, 2015

Library News

County to fill library, planning positions (Spokesman Review, Spokane, 8/27/15)

SCLD looks to next chapter after ballot defeat
As SCLD moves forward after the recent ballot defeat, a new three-year strategic plan will pave the way, and the district’s board of trustees will look at other options for funding new libraries. In building upon the district’s current inventory, services, and programs, the strategic plan will look at various options such as a technology resource center that would be used not just to access and consume information, but also to create knowledge. The district will also look at ways to take library collections and services to the places where people gather; going beyond each library’s walls to extend services to the community. The Current, Liberty Lake, 9/–/15)

County library use reportedly rising
People are using county libraries more as information becomes digitized and easily accessible on mobile devices, according to a survey done by the Whatcom County Library System. A total of 2,903 people responded to the survey that asked them about their library use. Of those, 27 percent said their use increased as the library became more digital. The survey also revealed that about 57 percent of those who responded use smartphones and nearly 61 percent use laptops. They also use tablets and eReaders. (Bellingham Herald, Bellingham, 9/6/15)

Library boasts record number of readers
The Lacey Timberland Library had a record-setting summer, serving more than 3,000 children in its summer reading programs, tops among Timberland Regional Library’s 27 branches. (The Olympian, Olympia, 9/12/15)

The very future of reading is at stake (Skagit Valley Herald, Mount Vernon, 9/13/15)

State Library sending ‘Makey Makey’ kits to local libraries
More than 20 local libraries throughout Washington will receive educational invention kits for children to use for a limited time, courtesy of the Washington State Library. The State Library began circulating the kits to libraries in early June. The kits are intended to benefit libraries that don’t have the resources to buy and provide their own kits for youth patrons. (Record-Bulletin, Prosser, 9/16/15)

Buildings

New library draws big crowd, rave reviews
“Awesome” was the word of the day, among kids and adults as they finally got an opportunity to explore the city’s new library. Born out of controversy over both site and scope, the new library, like the one before it, straddles the Cedar River and is adjacent to Liberty Park. (Renton Reporter, Renton, 8/28/15)

$3,084 for community center
Food Market Kingston donated $1,542 to the Village Green Foundation through its 1-percent-rebate program. With the donation, an anonymous individual matched the number, making the total amount donated to the new Village Green Community Center $3,084. Village Green has raised $7.7 million so far, and is about $9,000 short of reaching its goal. The Community Center will be 22,000 square feet and will include a Boys & Girls Club, a regional library, and a senior center. It is scheduled to be completed in spring 2016. (North Kitsap Herald, Poulsbo, 8/28/15)

Grant will help fix problems with the building (Daily World, Aberdeen, 8/29/15)

Silverdale Library gets challenge grant Scroll down to the last announcement. (The Kitsap Sun, Bremerton, 8/30/15)

Tourists weigh in on library changes (Renton Reporter, Renton, 9/4/15)

Planned new Silverdale library $100,000 closer to goal (Central Kitsap Reporter, Silverdale, 9/4/15)

Letters & Editorials

New library a ‘disaster’ (Renton Reporter, Renton, 8/28/15)

People

Former library manager returns to Prescott
Amy Rosenberg served as branch manager in Prescott for a year before assuming the same position in Dayton in early 2013, where she stayed for about two years. Now she is back in Prescott as district manager for both the Prescott and Plaza Way (Walla Walla) branches of the Walla Walla County Rural Library District. (The Times, Waitsburg, 9/10/15)

Library board selects new executive director (The Columbian, Vancouver, 9/10/15)

Puzzles & periodicals: Camas public library director David Zavortink will retire Oct. 2
(Camas-Washougal Post-Record, Camas, 9/15/15)

Washougal community librarian will retire in October (Camas-Washougal Post-Record, Camas, 9/15/15)

Programs & Displays

Brain power with Lego Mindstorm program
Columbia County Rural (CCR) Library district seeks an $8,000 grant to implement the Lego Mindstorm Program. The program engages high school students studying robotics to mentor middle school pupils interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math). If the CCR Library is not selected, they will seek out other grants, implement fundraising, and ask if people would consider donating to a community cause. (Dayton Chronicle, Dayton, 9/2/15)

UCC offers adult literacy program (The Northern Light, Blaine, 9/10/15)

New futures offered by Sno Isle Libraries (Stanwood/Camano News, Stanwood, 9/15/15)

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[This summary of library news represents a selection of current newspaper clippings about Washington libraries received from Washington newspapers. The summary is created by Marilyn Lindholm of the Washington State Library, a Division of the Office of the Secretary of State. For further information about this summary or the clippings listed, contact Shirley Lewis at 360-570-5567 or [email protected].]